Labor force participation took a big hit from the pandemic. How then should we interpret states’ reported unemployment rates?

Traditional employment data are often lagged, so during the COVID-19 pandemic, economists and policymakers shifted to high-frequency data that may better capture rapidly changing conditions.

Do the timing and length of lockdowns explain state-level differences in unemployment?

Policy changes and the unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the way labor market health is evaluated going forward.

As part of the U.S. response to COVID-19, unemployment insurance recipients are receiving increased weekly payments. For many individuals in the Fifth District, these enhanced unemployment benefits are greater than the wages they earned while at work.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly rearranges the U.S. labor market, women have been disproportionately affected.